Living in the Power of the Cross and Resurrection
Summary
In today's gathering, we delved into the profound truths of our faith, exploring the depths of Christ's work on the cross, His resurrection, and the implications for our lives as believers. We began by examining the misconception that God the Father abandoned Jesus on the cross, a notion that can distort our understanding of God's nature and His relationship with us. We looked at Psalm 22, which prophetically speaks of Christ's suffering, and clarified that God was not distant from Jesus during His crucifixion but was intimately involved in the act of redemption.
We discussed the importance of the cross, not as a singular event to be mourned annually, but as the gateway to a life of resurrection power. We are called to live in the reality of what Jesus accomplished—His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. This is not just a historical fact but a present reality that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places.
We also explored the role of the Holy Spirit, who Jesus breathed upon His disciples as a symbol of new life and empowerment. The Holy Spirit is our guide, teacher, and comforter, convincing us of our righteousness and helping us to live out our true identity in Christ.
Furthermore, we addressed the mission that Jesus has given us—to go into the world and make disciples, not just converts. This mission involves teaching others to follow Jesus faithfully, not merely reciting a prayer. We are to embody the love and grace of Jesus, representing Him to the world.
Lastly, we touched on the importance of understanding our identity as saints, not sinners, and the need to walk in the fullness of what Jesus has done for us. We are to live out the joy and privilege of being children of God, with full access to the resources of heaven.
Key Takeaways:
1. The cross was not a moment of abandonment but a profound act of love by the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were co-present in this act of salvation, demonstrating that God's love is not conditional on our actions but is an unearned gift. This understanding should transform our relationship with God, moving us from striving for His love to resting in His grace. [01:13:10]
2. Our identity as believers is not rooted in our sinfulness but in our righteousness through Christ. The Holy Spirit works within us to renew our minds and convince us of our true identity as saints. This shift in understanding is crucial for living a life free from guilt and condemnation. [01:32:28]
3. The mission of the church is not to simply gather converts but to make disciples who faithfully follow Jesus. This involves a deeper commitment to teaching and modeling the way of Christ, which leads to transformation in individuals and communities. [01:36:02]
4. The resurrection is not just a past event to be celebrated but a present reality that empowers us to live a victorious life. We are called to embrace this new life daily, surrendering to the Holy Spirit and accepting the call to mission and ministry. [01:49:04]
5. The love and grace of Jesus are meant to be demonstrated through His followers. As we understand and walk in our identity, we become conduits of His love to the world, calling people back to the heart of the Father. This is the essence of the gospel and the revolution of love that Jesus initiated. [01:30:33]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 22:1-24 - This passage prophetically speaks of Christ's suffering and clarifies that God was not distant from Jesus during His crucifixion but was intimately involved in the act of redemption.
2. Matthew 27:46 - "About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?')."
3. John 20:21-23 - "Again Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What does Psalm 22 reveal about the nature of Christ's suffering and God's presence during the crucifixion?
2. In Matthew 27:46, why does Jesus cry out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" How does this relate to Psalm 22? [01:01:25]
3. According to John 20:21-23, what mission does Jesus give to His disciples after His resurrection? [01:25:33]
4. How does the sermon explain the misconception that God the Father abandoned Jesus on the cross? [01:09:02]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that God did not abandon Jesus on the cross change our perception of God's nature and His relationship with us? [01:09:02]
2. What is the significance of Jesus breathing on His disciples and saying, "Receive the Holy Spirit" in John 20:22? How does this act relate to the creation of Adam in Genesis? [01:27:00]
3. The sermon emphasizes that our identity as believers is rooted in our righteousness through Christ, not our sinfulness. How does this shift in understanding impact the way we live our daily lives? [01:32:28]
4. What does it mean to live in the reality of Jesus' resurrection and ascension, as mentioned in the sermon? How does this affect our daily walk with Christ? [01:49:04]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt abandoned by God. How does the understanding that God was with Jesus during His crucifixion help you reframe that experience? [01:09:02]
2. The sermon discusses the importance of living out our true identity in Christ. What are some practical steps you can take to remind yourself daily of your identity as a saint, not a sinner? [01:32:28]
3. Jesus gave His disciples the mission to make disciples, not just converts. Identify one person in your life who you can begin to disciple. What steps will you take to start this process? [01:36:02]
4. How can you embrace the resurrection power in your life daily? What specific actions can you take to surrender to the Holy Spirit and accept the call to mission and ministry? [01:49:04]
5. The sermon emphasizes demonstrating the love and grace of Jesus to the world. Think of a recent interaction where you could have shown more love and grace. How will you approach similar situations differently in the future? [01:30:33]
6. The sermon mentions that the Holy Spirit convinces us of our righteousness. How can you create a habit of listening to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily decisions? [01:32:28]
7. Reflect on the idea that the cross was a profound act of love by the Trinity. How does this understanding influence your relationship with God and your approach to worship? [01:13:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Trinity's Act of Love
God's presence in our suffering is a profound demonstration of His love. The cross, often misunderstood as a moment of abandonment, was actually a time when the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were united in a redemptive act of love. This event is not just a historical moment but a present reality that affects how we view God's love and grace. It is a love that is not earned by our actions but is freely given, and this understanding invites us to rest in His grace rather than strive for His approval. The cross is a testament to the unbreakable bond within the Trinity and their collective commitment to humanity's salvation. [07:40]
"For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him." (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding the unity of the Trinity during Christ's crucifixion change your perception of God's love and presence in your own times of suffering?
Day 2: Our Righteous Identity in Christ
The Holy Spirit's role in our lives goes beyond mere companionship; He is actively working to renew our minds and convince us of our identity as saints, not sinners. This identity is rooted in the righteousness we have through Christ, not in our past sins or failures. Embracing this identity is essential for living a life free from guilt and condemnation, allowing us to walk in the fullness of what Jesus has done for us. This shift in understanding is not just theological but practical, influencing how we live out our faith daily. [01:32:28]
"And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." (Ephesians 4:24 ESV)
Reflection: What are some ways you can actively remind yourself of your identity in Christ when faced with feelings of guilt or condemnation?
Day 3: Discipleship Beyond Conversion
The mission of the church extends beyond the initial moment of conversion; it involves making disciples who faithfully follow Jesus. This mission requires a deeper commitment to teaching and modeling the way of Christ, leading to genuine transformation in individuals and communities. As believers, we are called to invest in others, guiding them to a deeper understanding and practice of their faith, which is the essence of discipleship. [01:36:02]
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16 ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person you can begin to invest in more deeply to help them grow in their walk with Christ?
Day 4: Living in Resurrection Power
The resurrection of Jesus is not merely a past event to be celebrated; it is a present reality that empowers believers to live a victorious life. This new life calls for daily surrender to the Holy Spirit and an acceptance of the call to mission and ministry. Living in resurrection power means embracing the life that Jesus has made available to us, a life that is marked by victory over sin and death. [01:49:04]
"That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death." (Philippians 3:10 ESV)
Reflection: In what practical ways can you live out the power of the resurrection in your daily life?
Day 5: Conduits of Jesus' Love and Grace
Understanding and walking in our identity as children of God enables us to become conduits of Jesus' love to the world. This is not just about knowing the love and grace of Jesus but demonstrating it through our actions and interactions with others. As we embody His love, we invite others to experience the transformative power of the gospel and the heart of the Father. [01:30:33]
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35 ESV)
Reflection: What is one tangible way you can demonstrate the love and grace of Jesus to someone in your community this week?
Quotes
1. "Jesus died for the most evil person that you can think of. He died for that person too, every bit as much as the worst person you can think of. We love to think of everybody else as being worse than we ever were." [57:57]
2. "The cross is important. Without the cross, there is no resurrection. Without that, there's no us walking in our mission. If one of my kids was ever in trouble and I threw myself in front of the car to save them and I died, what would my heart be for them? How would I want them to live from that point on?" [01:19:11]
3. "The Holy Spirit enters us now to be our guide, our teacher, our comforter, to show us the way to live. Part of what the Holy Spirit's role is, is to actually convince us of our righteousness. It's having to retrain and create a new neural pathway into our brain to think the right way." [01:32:28]
4. "Jesus gave a parable of a story where somebody receives that word. But then because their roots didn't go deep, they fall away. We've seen that so many times. What ends up happening? We're supposed to become a disciple, someone to teach us how to become a follower of Jesus." [01:46:08]
5. "God never forsook or abandoned Jesus on the cross. He didn't despise him. He didn't look the other way. He was there the whole time with him. This understanding should transform our relationship with God, moving us from striving for His love to resting in His grace." [01:09:11]
6. "Jesus is the one that started a revolution of love. It's time that we start looking like him. It's time that we start taking up the same mission that he did. We've been restored, making John 14:20 one of the driving verses of a fresh reality. There is no distance or separation between you and God any longer." [01:30:33]
7. "We're no longer a sinner but a saint. Do you start walking in it? You just believe. Everything that was necessary was done for you already at the cross. And that's where your identity changed. Paul makes it clear in here. Now we're on the fourth ending, I think." [01:47:40]
8. "Jesus came to show us the Father. And if you don't understand who the Father is, you think he's some angry, way out there dude, distanced. Then you don't understand who Jesus was. When you see Jesus interacting with people, you can be assured that that's exactly the Father." [01:38:27]
9. "The Father with the Son and with the Holy Spirit because they together had made this new covenant that would restore a relationship for you and I. If you understand that this was done for love, there was this moment of victory in the death of Jesus." [01:13:10]
10. "Jesus said you've seen me, you've seen the Father. So you know that. But then the Holy Spirit comes in us, and now we're the ones that are leading people to demonstrate Jesus. We're supposed to look like them. We got some work to do, but he gave us a mission." [01:38:54]
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